Edwin E. Bialkin

Edwin E. Bialkin, born to Anna and Larry Bialkin on September 25, 1939 in New York, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 28, 2025, at the age of 86, following a long illness.

Ed grew up on the Lower East Side of New York and attended Stuyvesant High School until his family moved to Hackensack, NJ, where he graduated from Hackensack High School. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Education from Montclair State College in Education and his Master's in Japanese and East Asian Studies from Seton Hall University.

Ed was best known as an extraordinary educator who shaped, mentored, and inspired thousands of students over more than 40 years in the classroom. Even his two sons followed in his footsteps as educators. Those who knew him will remember him for his brilliance, kindness, and wicked sense of humor.

Ed's remarkable career in education shaped the lives of his students at Midland Park High School, Pascack Hills High School, and Pascack Valley High School. He taught all courses in the Social Studies department and became the Supervisor of Instruction in 1978. In the mid-1990s, he was appointed District Supervisor for the Pascack Valley Regional High School District, a role he held until his retirement in 1998. During his tenure, he also served as Tennis Coach, Debate Team Coach, Advisor to the Executive Student Council, Advisor to STEP (Students to End Prejudice) and finally as PV's theatre director for many years. After retiring from the district, Ed kept busy working for a landscape nursery and continued teaching at Paramus Catholic High School and Ramapo College. He never lost his love for the classroom or his students.

It is impossible to overstate the impact Ed had on thousands of students both inside and outside the classroom. His joy in teaching was legendary. In class he threw chalk, on stage he threw Altoids. No one in his presence was safe from that precise aim, yet everyone basked in his warm smile and felt seen and appreciated. After stepping away from directing the theatre productions at Pascack Valley, Ed went on to direct middle school shows and design sets for Westwood Junior/Sr High School.

A passionate contributor to the arts, Ed directed several community theatre shows at The Rhino Theatre, Old Library Theatre, and The Barn Theatre. He could occasionally be seen on stage as well. He was also a valued voice and set of hands at Infinite Motion Performing Arts Academy where he wore many hats and provided assistance to owners/artistic directors Colleen Cross and Rosanne Renda.

Ed is survived by Donna, his beloved wife of 35 years; his two sons Cliff Bialkin of Ramsey, NJ and his wife Sabrina, and Bruce Bialkin of Sparta, NJ and his wife Denise; his grandsons Joshua, Benjamin and Nathan; his sister and brother-in-law Janice and David Berliner; his nephew and nieces Stephen, Hayley, and Stacey; and his mother-in-law Joan Miller. He adored family and friends too numerous to list, and was universally beloved by all who knew him.

Ed's legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, the students he inspired, the stages he filled with laughter and learning, and the deep love he shared with his family and friends.

Funeral services were held December 30, 2025 at Robert Schoem's Menorah Chapel in Paramus. You can view the service here: https://a2elivestream.com/edwin-e-bialkin/

Donations in Ed's honor would be very much appreciated to The Trees Remember at: https://thetreesremember.com/memorial-trees/